APRIL
5, 2011 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
MINUTES
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
Meeting No. 11
All
Members of Council
Development
Services Economic
Development
Chair: Regional Councillor Jim
Jones Chair: Councillor Carolina
Moretti
Vice-Chair: Councillor Don Hamilton Vice-Chair:
Councillor Alex Chiu
Transportation Issues
Chair: Regional Councillor Gord
Landon
Vice-Chair:
Councillor Alan Ho
PART A
Presentations, Major Studies, and Issues Agenda
9:00 a.m. – Council Chamber
Attendance
|
Councillor Alex Chiu
Regrets
|
John Livey, Chief Administrative
Officer
Jim Baird, Commissioner of
Development Services
Andy Taylor, Commissioner of
Corporate Services
Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of
Community & Fire Services
Murray Boyce, Senior Policy
Coordinator
Alan Brown, Director of Engineering
Catherine Conrad, Town Solicitor
Biju Karumanchery, Senior
Development Manager
Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand
Management (TDM) Coordinator
Kitty Bavington, Council/Committee
Coordinator
|
The Development Services
Committee convened at the hour of 9:07 a.m. in the Council Chamber with Regional
Councillor Jim Jones in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST –
None Declared
1. DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
- March 22, 2011, Part A (10.0)
Minutes
Moved by: Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
That the
minutes of the Development Services Committee meeting, Part A, held March 22,
2011, be confirmed.
CARRIED
2. CYCLING
AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CPAC)
2011 BUSINESS PLAN (6.3)
Presentation
David Rawcliffe, Chair, Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
(CPAC) began the presentation by reviewing the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory
Committee mandate: To represent the interests of cyclists and pedestrians in Markham,
focusing on their needs and priorities, providing advice and support to the Town
on infrastructure, education/outreach and research, and bring these interests to
the attention of the appropriate staff, departments or standing committees of Council.
Mr. Rawcliffe also summarized the Pathways and Master Trails Plan Vision, an
interconnected system of pathways and trails, which accommodates a wide variety
of users. The members of the CPAC and staff were recognized for their work.
Lorenzo Mele, Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Coordinator, outlined
the 2011 Business Plan with respect to programs and initiatives for Infrastructure,
Education and Outreach, and Research. The budget items were identified as:
CAN-BIKE Safe Cycling Education $5,000
Outreach and Education $5,000
Research Projects $10,000
Community Events $ 5,000
In response to questions, staff described the school
outreach programs and CAN-BIKE certification qualifications. It was suggested
that opportunities in school phys-ed programs be pursued as well, and that collaboration
is needed with other stakeholders to provide a complete network system with
amenities such as bike racks and seating/rest areas.
Staff addressed questions regarding the consideration
of safety when installing the green signs, the provision of bike lockers and
enclosures, connection of bike paths between neighbourhoods and installation of
sidewalks. An update report on sidewalk issues will be coming forward in the
future. It was noted that bike paths in the industrial areas in Ward 8 are
being blocked by parked cars, and staff advised that By-law Enforcement can
ticket anyone encroaching in the bike lanes.
The Committee recognized the value of CPAC’s
initiatives and thanked the members for their work.
Moved by: Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
That the presentation provided by Mr. Lorenzo Mele, TDM
Coordinator and Mr. David Rawcliffe, Chair, and Peter Miasek, of the Cycling and
Pedestrian Advisory Committee regarding Cycling Pedestrian Advisory Committee
(CPAC) 2011 Business Plan be received.
CARRIED
3. MARKHAM
LIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES
- February 28, 2011
- March 7, 2011
- March 21, 2011 (16.24)
Feb.
28 Mar.
7 Mar.
21 Correspondence
Correspondence from Adamson Associates Architects dated March 21, 2011 was
provided for information.
The Committee clarified that the work being authorized
is for the Metrolinx Mobility Hub with respect to Markham Centre and any
additional components that may or may not materialize, and is not specific to
the MISTA proposal. Staff confirmed that the Terms of Reference for a separate
technical review of the Mobility Hub will be reported at a future DSC meeting.
The technical review and the design study by Adamson will be combined for the overall
project. The upcoming report will document the purpose of the studies with
respect to the Mobility Hub.
The Committee consented to forwarding the resolution to Council on
April 5, 2011.
Moved by: Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by: Councillor Alan Ho
1) That the minutes of the
Markham Live Committee meeting held February 28, 2011, March 7, 2011 and March
21, 2011 be received for information purposes; and,
2) That the following
recommendation from the March 21, 2011 minutes be endorsed:
"That the Markham Live Committee endorses the
proposal by Adamson Associates Architects dated March 21, 2011 for “Markham
Transit Centre/Mobility Hub Program and Feasibility Study” in the amount of
$100,000. "; and further,
3) That this matter be forwarded to Council for adoption on
April 5, 2011.
CARRIED
4. REQUEST
FOR PROPOSAL 139-R-10
FOR DETAILED DESIGN OF HIGHWAY 404
NORTHBOUND EXIT RAMP EXTENSION
AT MAJOR MACKENZIE DRIVE
(7.12.2)
Report Attachment
Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, gave a brief explanation of this
matter. The Committee consented to forwarding the resolution to Council on
April 5, 2011.
Moved by: Regional
Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by: Councillor Alex
Chiu
1) That the staff report entitled “Request for Proposal
139-R-10 for Detailed
Design of Highway 404 Northbound Exit Ramp Extension at Major Mackenzie Drive”
be received; and,
2) That Request for Proposal 139-R-10 for Detailed Design of Highway 404 Northbound
Exit Ramp Extension at Major Mackenzie Drive”, be awarded to the highest ranked
and 2nd lowest priced bidder, Amec Earth and Environmental in the
amount of $406,248.31 inclusive of HST; and,
3) That funding for the project be provided from the approved Capital accounts
nos. 083-5350-7272-005 (Highway 404 Ramp Extension at Major Mackenzie Drive, EA
and Design) and 083-5350-9316-005 (Highway 404 Ramp Extension at Major
Mackenzie Drive, Design), in the amount of $406,248.31 inclusive of HST; and,
4) That a contingency in the amount of $40,624.83, inclusive of HST be
established to cover any additional design costs and that the Director
of Engineering be authorized to approve expenditures of this contingency amount
up to the specified limit in accordance with the Expenditure Control Policy;
and,
5) That funding for the contingency be provided from the approved
Capital accounts nos. 083-5350-7272-005 (Highway 404 Ramp Extension at Major
Mackenzie Drive, EA and Design) and 083-5350-9316-005 (Highway 404 Ramp
Extension at Major Mackenzie Drive, Design); and,
6) That report
entitled “Award of Contract 139-R-10 Detailed Design of Highway 404 Northbound
Exit Ramp Extension at Major Mackenzie Drive” be brought forward to the April 5, 2011 Council meeting;
and further,
7) That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give
effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
5. AFFORDABLE
AND SPECIAL NEEDS HOUSING STRATEGY:
DRAFT STRATEGY AND WORK
PROGRAM
FOR AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
(10.0)
Presentation Report Attachment
A Attachment
B
Murray Boyce, Senior Policy Coordinator, and Jody Ball of SHS
Consulting, gave a presentation regarding a draft Affordable and Special Needs
Housing Strategy for the Town, explaining Markham’s role within the context of
other levels of senior government and Markham’s housing partners. The
presentation included an outline of the community vision, housing goals and recommended
housing actions.
Recommended actions are:
Policy Development:
Identify new housing targets in the Town’s Official Plan and Community
Sustainability Plan; monitor changes; and, provide opportunities for inclusive
and mixed use communities.
Financial Incentives:
Consider deferral or condition grants for Development Charges and other
measures that provide an opportunity for financial commitment for affordable
housing.
Advocacy: Request
senior levels of government to commit and advocate for a coordinated approach
to Housing.
Partnerships:
Engage with Region of York, Central Local Health Integration Network, Community
Agencies, Housing providers and Private Sector.
Education:
Identify and promote alternate forms of affordable housing, increase awareness,
and work with non-profit and private sector to explore options.
The next steps were outlined. A final report with recommendations will
be presented by the end of 2011.
The Committee commented on the area in Thornhill between Clark Avenue
and Elgin Street that should be protected against redevelopment. Staff
responded that the Town is looking at developing a new Official Plan policy to
prevent conversion or demolition of existing rental units Town-wide.
The Committee discussed alternatives to the current approaches to
delivery of rental and ownership housing that the Region and other housing
partners, including the private sector, might consider to create more
affordable housing opportunities, including:
·
making a certain number of units
in private condo developments available for purchase by housing providers (i.e.
the Region, Habitat for Humanity and other not-for profit etc.) to rent out as
affordable units;
·
integrating affordable and
special needs housing units with market units within one building rather
than concentrating on their own in one building;
·
provision of more multiple type
housing such as duplexes and triplexes to accommodate expanding households
(i.e. seniors, new immigrants, youth, etc.; and
·
incentives to reduce costs
associated with processing and delivery of affordable housing projects (i.e. considerations
related to Development Charges, reduced parkland fees, and fast-tracking
processing of applications, etc. )
Staff responded that these approaches will be further reviewed and discussed
with key stakeholders on the Technical Resource Group, who will be
collaborating with Town staff on the development of a plan to implement the
actions outlined in the Draft Affordable and Special Needs Housing Strategy.
The Committee discussed the composition and increasing number of people
requiring affordable and special needs housing. The Committee agreed that
an education campaign will help “put a face” on those requiring affordable and
special needs housing and will also help respond to a diverse range of
perceptions and attitudes within the community.
Pamela Roth, President, Markham Interchurch Committee for Affordable
Housing (MICAH), spoke in support of Markham’s Affordable and Special Needs
Housing initiative.
Moved by: Councillor Carolina Moretti
Seconded by: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
1)
That the presentation by Mr.
Murray Boyce, Senior Policy Coordinator, and Ms. Jody Ball of SHS Consulting,
regarding Affordable and Special Needs Housing Strategy: Draft Strategy and
Work Program for an Implementation Plan be received; and,
2)
That the deputation by Pamela Roth, President, Markham Interchurch
Committee for Affordable Housing (MICAH), in support of Markham’s Affordable
and Special Needs Housing initiative, be received; and,
3) That the report entitled “Affordable and Special Needs
Housing Strategy: Draft Strategy and Work Program for an Implementation Plan”,
dated April 5, 2011, be received; and,
4) That the report and the Draft Affordable and Special Needs
Housing Strategy be posted on the Town website for public review and comment;
and,
5) That Staff establish a Technical Resource Group, to include
key stakeholders in the provision of Affordable and Special Needs Housing as
outlined in this report, to review and provide input on the Draft Strategy and
participate in the development of a plan to implement the actions outlined in
the Strategy; and,
6) That Staff report back to Development Services Committee
with final recommendations for an Affordable and Special Needs Housing Strategy
and a plan to implement the actions outlined in the Strategy, including a
financial incentives policy framework and incorporating policies for Affordable
and Special Needs Housing into the draft Official Plan; and further,
7) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS
6. LANGSTAFF GATEWAY PROPOSED OFFICIAL
PLAN
AND SECONDARY PLAN AMENDMENTS (10.3,
10.4)
The Committee suggested it may be appropriate to pass
a motion stating Markham’s position with respect to the Region’s review of the
Langstaff Gateway proposed Official Plan and Secondary Plan amendments, and
requested staff make a brief presentation on this matter at Council on April 5,
2011.
7. TREE BY-LAW (2.21)
Councillor Alex Chiu requested an update regarding
mature trees removed from the Milliken Mills High School property, and
requested that staff provide updates to the Council member when they report
items in the future.
ADJOURNMENT
The Development Services
Committee meeting adjourned at 11:23 PM.
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are available upon request.